I Pledge Allegiance To…

Starting July 3rd, I started seeing Happy 4th of July posts on my social media from people across the globe, spanning multiple time zones and continents. Today, the festivities are over, but it is still a bank holiday for observance, so I’ve been thinking about the multitude of flags, stared & striped top hats, red, white, & blue clothing, and pinwheels I’ve seen in the last week. A few posts, in particular, caught my attention. Often they had a hint of anger or boldness or defiance – they all called for viewers to refuse to be ashamed of any wrongdoing associated with the country or proudly proclaim, “I pledge allegiance to the flag.”

What’s Wrong With Patriotism?

Nothing really. Who doesn’t want to be proud of their nation of residence? The thing is, I am conflicted. My mother was two things – deeply religious and very proud of her adopted country. I could not even attempt to count the number of times she told me, “In America, Jack is as good as his master,” or “I always heard back home that ‘the streets were paved with gold in America.'” We always supported the military and were proud of all our family members who served. I would consider us a very patriotic family. I knew flag etiquette – never let it hit the ground, replace it if it gets damaged, never drape it on your person, never wear it on a hat or as clothing, fold it properly, and on and on. But there was more to our patriotism than reverence for the flag.

Let Me Explain

Growing up in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, I noticed how often my mother would be asked about her “sign.” She always reached the same way. She recoiled. Then she stood tall and would respond, “I am under the sign of the cross.” Every single person she said this to would chuckle and explain that they meant her zodiac sign. She would repeat herself, steely-faced and determined. Some would get the point. Others would press for her birthdate. She would never tell them the day she was born, but she would tell them what she meant by being born under the sign of the cross. It meant she was a Christian, and the only thing she needed to know was that she was forgiven.

Rebellious Reverence

This attitude extended to other areas of our lives as well. I spent a year in catholic school at one point – it was a trial. Each morning we were instructed to recite several things at assembly – one of which was the Hail Mary. Mom instructed me that under no circumstances was I to pray the Hail Mary. It was an odd directive since we had always attended a catholic church.

But she didn’t leave me in the dark. Mary was a person, Heather. She is not God. She can not answer prayer. None of the saints can. Only God can do that, and you can speak directly to God yourself. You can pray to Jesus. You can read your own bible. So, don’t hail any person – only God.  I didn’t. I would say the Our Father, but never any of the prayers to the saints or Blessed Mother. Her explanation made sense. Her conviction was real – she had a rebellious reverence only for Christ.

Full Circle

That brings me back to the flag. Mom taught me to never swear allegiance to anything or anyone but Christ. I’m not convinced that one has to – to be honorable, loyal, faithful, or honest. I don’t think pledges make people patriotic or keep their word. So, while I understand the desire to honor and revere the flag, the flag is merely a symbol of what the country it is supposed to represent. I think it would be more meaningful to swear allegiance to the constitution. I pray the Lord blesses this country. I hope that people do not confuse tradition with patriotism. And I hope that our country will one day be able to put aside our hurt feelings, defensiveness, and anger so that we can move forward in understanding.

Lift Every Voice

This is one of my favorite anthems. It is American to its very core. It recognizes the struggle and applauded the progress. It is a prayer for the future. The poem was written by James Weldon Johnson, his brother Rosamund wrote the melody.